Roller Coaster

Roller Coaster

Roller Coaster

Roller Coaster

Roller Coaster History

1920’s- John A. Miller began his career under the guidance of La Marcus Thompson. He also worked with the Josiah and Fred Pearce, Frederick Ingersoll and in 1920 joined forces with Harry Baker. They broke off their partnership in 1923 when Miller went into business for himself.

1991- The Leap The Dips was added to the NRHP (National Register of Historic Places) In 1991 and approved as a National Landmark five years later. The park also worked to preserve John Allen's Skyliner coaster originally built at Roseland Park and their Allan Herschell Wild Mouse first ran at Pittsburgh's White Swan Park.1600's- This is when roller coasters first started but they where not as advanced as they where now.

1784- In st.petersburg it was the the first wheel roller coaster it features carriages that undulated over hills with in grooved tracks.

1817- Two roller coasters in france called Les Montagues Russes a Belleville are built. They feature cars locked to the track in some manner. They were the first coasters to lock the cars by having the axles slide into a grooved cut in the track.

1872- The Hauto Tunnel in Pennsylvania was completed, it was an easier way for the railroad owners to transport coal down the mountain. 2,322 feet of track had been used to bring coal directly down the mountainside. The old track stood there for a few months, but in 1873 the railroad re-opened for business carrying passengers not coal. It was a success and carried over 35,000 passengers per-year. The railway was bought in 1874 by the Jersey Central railroad, but they allowed the control to remain with the Mauch Chunk management and did not stop the profitable journeys.

1878- In 1878 Richard Knudsen patented the Improvement in Inclined Railways, but it never opened.

1884- The Switchback Railway opened in spring 1884 at Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York and made the inventor of it hundreds of dollars per-day.

1885- Charles Alcoke created a coaster that was a complete circuit and in spring 1885, Phillip Hinkle developed the concept of the lift hill. A lift hill was the hill that often began a coaster and it was the train that was often pulled up by a chain or cable. This simple machine allowed for a higher structure and designers became more open with their layouts.

1884-1817- La Marcus Thompson was given over thirty coaster-related designs between 1884 and 1887, many of which were related to the scenic railways he was planning. During this time Thompson worked with James A. Who was known for carved cars and greatly designed coasters. Together the two designed the scenic Railway that opened in 1887 in Atlantic City. Thompson and James separated to different ways after the Atlantic City project and fiercely competed for the growing the scenic railway market.

1901-1902- One of the few surviving coasters from this period of coaster history “The Leap The Dips” is at Lakemont Park in Pennsylvania. The refurbished cars are two rows deep, they hold two passengers each. The coaster was built in 1902 by E. Joy Morris. It was constructed at Lakemont to replace the Gravity Railroad that burned down in 1901.

This ride is the oldest operating coaster in the world. While thousands of older coasters were torn down because of age, or because they no longer had the thrills necessary to bring in people, Lakemont stood behind its timeless treasure. But growing maintenance and repair costs made Lakemont close the coaster in 1985.

HISTORY ON PAPER:

1931-1939- Bartlett built a lot of roller coasters during the depression.

1897- George C. Tiyou, a man who grew up on coney, opened Steeplechase park. It had Steeple Chase Horse Race, a roller coaster that attracted thousands.

1901- The first roller coaster with loops was made, it was called the "Loop The Loop".

1925- The "Thunderbolt" was designed by John Miller. It was very famous. It had wooden tracks.

1961-The very first Six Flags park was opened. It was called "Six Flags Over Texas". It was located in Dallas.

1997- The "Tornado" was made by John Miller but, it was burned down later.

Kinetic and Potential Engergy

It applies to roller coasters because when ever you are at the very top of the hill right before you drop, that is potential energy. When you are at the bottom of the drop right before you go up the hill then that is Kinetic.

1) Potential Energy- Stored Up Energy.

2) Kinetic Energy- Energy in motion.

3) Regular curves make you feel like you are going to be thrown out and banked curves reduces that sensation.

4) Yes you do need a harness because if you didn't have one the chance from falling out of the coaster is greater. Depending on the speed of the roller coaster, It would be a different outcome in a loop.